At 100, Dr Mahathir says advisory role in PN better than PM
Dr Mahathir said his age no longer allowed him to take on front-line leadership, but his decades of experience in politics could still serve the nation.
"I'm old now… a hundred years old. I can't give fiery speeches like I used to. I'm not here to take the place of the younger generation.
"I'm not looking to become prime minister again. But I do want to offer advice.
"I've been prime minister for 24 years and involved in politics for over 80 years," he told a crowd at the Himpunan Mandat Negarawanrally at Stadium Suka Menanti yesterday.
Also present were Pas president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, PN deputy chairman Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, and Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.
Dr Mahathir said Malaysia was a resource-rich country and that poverty should not exist if national assets were managed prudently.
"This country is rich. Everyone should be wealthy. But if we don't know how to make full use of the assets we have, we will never progress," he said.
He added that a PN-led administration would make eradicating poverty a top priority, claiming the current government had failed to do so.
"As a government, our focus must be on resolving poverty. PN can do it. We can reduce poverty. That's our hope, that's the purpose of our gathering tonight."
Dr Mahathir said that, should PN take over Putrajaya, its leadership would be one that listened to advice.
"If there is a change in government, we will have a prime minister who is willing to listen to advice. I believe, if that happens, many issues can be resolved," he said.
The rally was described by PN leaders as a curtain-raiser for a larger gathering scheduled to take place in Kuala Lumpur on July 26, aimed at pressuring Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to step down.
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